Pectoralis Major Tendon Tears: Treatment Options

Pectoralis Major Tendon Tears: Treatment Options

Pectoralis major tendon injuries are graded as either: type 1, tendon strain; type 2, partial tendon tear; or type 3, complete tendon tear. Because most tears are complete tears that occur from heavy force or impact, surgery is often needed to restore function to allow patients to return to sports and exercise.

Surgery for a pectoralis major tendon tear involves the use of bone tunnels and sutures, anchors, or metal buttons to reattach the torn tendon back to the upper arm bone. Surgery for a pectoralis major tendon tear has a great success rate, with at least 90% of patients returning to their pre-injury activity level after having surgery. The best outcomes are achieved when surgery is performed within 8 weeks after injury to decrease the risk of scar tissue forming. In some cases, the tendon may need to be reconstructed with a tendon graft for added support.

Nonsurgical treatment involving the use of rest, ice, and pain-relieving medication may be considered for strains or partial tears, or in cases of complete tears where the patient is not healthy enough to undergo surgery. Whether surgery is needed or not, the affected arm is typically immobilized in a sling with the arm across the body to decrease stress at the tendon right after injury.

Following pectoralis tendon repair surgery, the arm is also placed in a sling for a period of about 3-4 weeks to help with healing. Then, patients will undergo physical therapy to gradually increase their range of motion and strength, with most patients returning to unrestricted activity after 6 months.